YMMV / The Man with No Name

• Funny Moments: The crews' differing reactions to The Doctor's Psychic Paper:
  • Jayne sees "Doctor John Smith, monkey keeper".
  • Kaylee sees "Sir John Smith, Director of Antiquities".
  • For Mal? "John Smith, Accounting".
• Heartwarming Moments:
  • Just about any interaction between River and the Doctor, especially after he learns about the Academy did to her. He is nothing but playfully sweet to her, swearing he will only use his own psychic powers on the girl with her express permission. River is understandably terrified at letting anyone have a look at just how broken she is, but she definitely admires the old Time Lord and knows he has no intentions of harming her.
    • Following the disastrous investigation and River breaking down inside the TARDIS, the Doctor gently tends to her mind and helps her get to a more stable level. Afterwards, he can't help but gush to Simon about how wonderfully brilliant her mind is (as well as promise to pay the Academy a visit); right before he offers the brother all of the information in the TARDIS's databanks concerning neurological research, psychic trauma and phenomenon. Including Time Lord research.
  • The TARDIS takes a liking to Zoe, guiding her to a bathroom when she needs it, letting her inside Rose's room, and showing her an image of Wash.
  • During the climax, when in some kind of ethereal realm that looks like Mal's old room on Shadow, The Doctor shows Mal a reflection of himself. Mal sees himself shining brightly, and notes that he and The Doctor, are the same.
• Like You Would Really Do It: At the climax, there is a scene where a person has to die to bring Mal back to life, and the two options are The Doctor, and a brand-new alien race created specifically for this story. Gee, I wonder which one dies...
  • In all fairness, the author was already aware of this trope, as stated in their notes. They just couldn't pass up the chance for some lovely spiritual drama, and it really is wonderful.
• The Woobie: The Doctor. This is between "The Runaway Bride" and "Smith and Jones". The angst is rather understated and all the more powerful for it.

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